Renartgades Festival of Makers Market

The Renartgades Festival of Makers Market takes over STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, with the indoor market running from 11am to 5pm both days. It's a big one this year, with more than 80 traders filling the museum's floors.

If you're not sure what that looks like in practice, the mix is pretty broad. You'll find crafters, artists, potters, and jewellers alongside bakers and sellers of hot food and drink, so it's as much about browsing for something to take home as it is about grabbing a bite while you're there. It's an indoor market, which is a relief when the weather turns, and the scale of it means you can spend a good while just wandering the stalls.

There's more to do than just shopping, too. Alongside the stalls, there are workshops running throughout the weekend, including 15-minute make-and-takes for when you've only got a short window, and children's activities to keep the smaller ones occupied while you have a proper look around. If you're heading in with kids, that's probably the best way to play it.

As for the practical side, the market is included with admission to the museum, so you get the whole thing in one go. STEAM sits in the old railway works right next to Swindon station, which makes it an easy one to get to on the train. If you're driving, though, keep in mind there's no on-site parking except for disabled spaces; visitor parking is at the Swindon Designer Outlet, about a five-minute walk from the museum. It runs 11am to 5pm on both Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.